02X - Reintro. [Text/Locked Audio to the Rocket Frequency]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

[Well! Those of you on the network today will be greeted by a bit of audio late this morning, from a device ID that's been bouncing back all attempts at contact for the last several weeks.]

...Oh, that's cute.

[...well, if that wasn't the most triumphant return ever, I don't know what is.

At the very least, however, he seems to get over whatever he's almost audibly linefacing at long enough to realize that the device is recording something; he promptly switches the thing over to text - he's never really liked talking at the machine when he's addressing all of Johto.]

My, it seems this place does still have its sense of humor, doesn't it? And here I thought that perhaps I'd only lost three days at worst - it was a bit of a surprise to find out otherwise.

Ah, but that's neither here nor there, is it?

[Kimblee, hon.]

There's not much to report from home, unfortunately; however, it'll be a pleasure getting in contact with all of you again - hopefully you've all been at least reasonably well.

[Oh, well. At least he doesn't seem too off-put by the whole disappearing-for-a-month-and-a-half thing?]


[PRIVATE AUDIO - TEAM ROCKET FREQUENCY]

[...At least, not until the audio message that goes out over the private Rocket network a few minutes later; Kimblee's voice is cold and clipped, and the amiable "tone" from the text earlier is completely absent.

He has no idea if he still holds his rank or not; he suspects he doesn't. Like hell if he won't throw it around anyway. He's a bit displeased at his life basically being a .gif from Community, and he's going to figure out what in the good hell is going on if it kills him.]

This is Team Rocket Beta Solf J Kimblee, reporting back in for duty; to my superiors, I admit that I don't know what happened, but I assure you that it won't happen again.

To the rest of you - check in with me immediately, particularly if you're one of my subordinates. I'm receiving a lot of "ID Not Found" nonsense, and I need to know who's still present; given that and various things that I've had to hear about secondhand, I expect a full report regarding what happened here from someone, I'm not feeling particularly choosy right now.

New members to the organization - welcome to it, and you have my personal apologies for the disarray. For now, you're welcome to introduce yourselves; it'll serve you well to know that I'm good to those who are good to me. Again, prove yourself useful and you'll be rewarded.

None of this is a request. Allow me to make that much clear.

[...oh dear. Well. At least he's not in much position to actually do anything at the moment - this is Team Rocket we're talking about, and if somebody's on the network very vocally overstating their importance and/or competence, that means it's pretty much a day ending in Y.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

Well, whether you personally could or not doesn't exempt you from having thoughts on the matter, and I do agree that it's entirely insipid - that is to say that yes, it's expected of you on the battlefield and you're just following orders, but by that same argument you've willingly entered into a profession where you specialize in killing people. The unit I was a part of actually was looked down upon for that - interesting that you should mention dogs, given that's what we were often called; "dogs of the military" isn't really a positive term, where I'm from, nor would it ever be used to imply that we aren't guilty - it's used to refer to alchemists who have sold out their own.

[explosivecombat]

[...he is never living down those boobs, is he...

However, it takes him a moment to process the information; he has no idea what's being described, really, as he is from 1915 and no one has taught him these things properly (and he really can't be bothered to learn besides), and as such genetics are a bit over his head, but he thinks he gets the basic idea.]

Well, that does sound excellent. What sort of results are you aiming for, in terms of your own manipulations?

[usedshooshpap]

SOLD OUT THEIR OWN?

[explosivecombat]

In theory, all alchemists are expected to adhere to the principle of "be thou for the people" - in other words, alchemy is to be used for the benefit and not the detriment of mankind. However, there's some contention over exactly what that entails.

The unit I'm referring to is a group of alchemists that are hired by the government; they're given a moderately high ranking in the military, and are given funding for all of their research. In exchange, they're bound to serve that military and follow the government's orders, no matter what those orders may happen to be.

The argument in favor of joining the military as a State Alchemist is that doing so enables one to protect one's country, benefiting the people by defending them. And there is some merit to that, given that alchemists ended a war that had been raging for years in a matter of weeks. However, that way of looking at it gets into a bit of a grey area once the abovementioned orders to commit genocide get involved; the majority of alchemists in my country believe that "be thou for the people" requires a pacifistic stance, and basically see us as contract killers.

[licentious]

Of course. You'll be the first person everyone will think of when it comes to distractions and I promise to give you preparation and supplies nothing short of a box filled with Voltorbs and revives.

[ Yes Kimblee that is an actual thing Lust has been thinking about for a while. ]

[papshooshing]

SORRY TO BURST THEIR BUBBLE...
BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE PEACE WITHOUT WAR.
YOU'VE GOT TO FIGHT TO MAINTAIN PEACE TOO BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ASSHOLES THAT WANT TO WATCH THE WORLD BURN AND START SHIT.
THESE ALCHEMISTS ARE PRETTY DAMN NAIVE FOR BEING SO FUCKING SMART.

screaming, I thought I replied to this ages ago ;_______;

[usedwrench]

[...a pleasure, huh? Winry can't write the same to him, it would be a lie. She should try to be more optimistic and think that some actually nice people might show up anytime soon too.]

Thank you. I have two of your Pokémon, Anthony and Amethyst, if you would like to get them back.

[Free to take the words 'thank you' as a reply to everything you just said including the first line? Yes. She's really not sure what else to say to the first line... Now, as for that question. Sounds like he knows some things then. Good. She wishes her fingers didn't start shaking, she'll need to triple-check the line before she sends it.]

How much do you know about the Promised Day, Mister Kimblee?

Don't worry, I'm still here! Just a bit slow on this post, but still around. ♥

[explosivecombat]

That would be appreciated, if you wouldn't mind.

[Her question actually gives him pause, however; he hesitates briefly before replying.]

...as for your question, I know enough. Why do you want to know about that, if I may?

[explosivecombat]

Naive is a good way of wording it, though I will say their stance on pacifism extends only as far as alchemy and its uses are concerned. Basically, they believe it shouldn't be weaponized, much less at the whims of anyone but the alchemist themselves - we can join the military all we want; it's the State Alchemist title that tends to be a point of contention.

As it is, our country hasn't known peace in my lifetime, nor did it know peace in the previous generation's lifetime. We're rather aware of how war works.

[usedshooshpap]

IF YOU HAVE THE POWER AND THE ABILITY, THEN I DON'T SEE WHY IT SHOULDN'T BE USED TO YOUR OWN ADVANTAGE.
A WAR IS A FUCKING WAR.
GRANTED, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT PEACE IS SO I CAN'T COMMENT TOO MUCH ON THAT.
BEING HERE IS THE CLOSEST I THINK I'LL EVER GET TO UNDERSTANDING IT.
MAYBE IT'S JUST THE TROLL IN ME, BUT I REALLY DON'T SEE THE BIG DEAL I GUESS.

♥ well, I might be slower too because weird tagging times and everything but that won't happen aga

[usedwrench]

I'll send them over to you soon then.

[Before there's going to a breeding party or something in the house. ...More hesitating before replying to his question. Does she really want to know about that day? Curiosity killed the cat, or so they say.]

Because being here for a year makes a girl curious about what's going to happen back home.

[Not that most people would tell her anything for reasons, but he is different.]

No worries, hon, it happens to all of us!

[explosivecombat]

[Different indeed; he's never seen much point in sheltering those from Amestris from their futures, after all, especially if they want to know - it's their right, really.

He wouldn't go so far as to say he has a code of morals or ethics, because such things really just tend to get in the way and he wouldn't know ethical decisions if they bit him; that doesn't mean that he doesn't have certain self-imposed rules that he adheres to regardless.]

Understandably so. What would you like to hear about, then?

[ortion]

[N o p e.

Clearly one of these days Dist should sit him down and teach him the beauty of science. It would be the most thrilling conversation ever, Kimblee, really.]

If I can get this to work, the possibilities are quite enormous, actually. But at the moment, I want to see if I can apply Metal Coats to Pokemon not known to evolve with them.

Wow, what a HTML fail on my part. I'm so sorry for that and the lateness of this tag.

[strongestoftheturks]

I did some work for Cobra Commander. Just back-up.

It didn't go too bad.

If you're alright with me saying this, sir, I wouldn't mind something more dangerous.

[explosivecombat]

[Well, to be fair Kimblee is from Amestris, where the nerds reign supreme; at the same time, it's sufficiently interesting nerdery. Make a few things blow up and we'll talk.]

Artificially inducing a secondary Steel-type to the species? Interesting...perhaps I'll make a point of coming down to the labs sometime to get a look for myself. However, for the time being, I have quite the bureaucratic nightmare to sort through - your information has been some of the only positive news I've heard all day; consider me grateful for it.

Until then, the best of luck to you in your research.

[And that will, quite simply, be that, really.]

No worries - it happens to everyone, it's fine!

[explosivecombat]

[Hm, well...this has potential to be promising, assuming this person can be trusted; even if he can't, it has potential to be interesting, and Kimblee has never been opposed to doing something simply because it has potential to be interesting.

However.]

Given that you've been here for such a comparatively short time, I'm going to have to hold off on giving you anything too taxing; believe me, the sort of missions I tend to initiate would eat a new person alive, regardless of how skilled they were back in their own world - after all, I'm sure you've noticed that this world plays by its own rules.

However, I'll definitely keep you in mind; in the meantime, raise whatever creatures you have, and get used to how this place works. Once I have something suitable, I'll get in contact with you; for now, however, you can have my assurances that not everything this place does is centered around petty theft and simple duties around the base - I'd have gone insane through boredom otherwise, since I prefer to take on more...entertaining missions myself.

[strongestoftheturks]

[What Kimblee says makes sense; Rude may not like it, but it's logical and reasonable. And on the bright side he'll be ready for more active duty if his Pokemon are more battle-hardened.

It's just...so boring. Like paperwork. OK, nothing's as bad as paperwork but still.

Regardless, he's got his orders, and he'll stick with them. Accomplish the mission anyway possible. That's what he's been taught by Veld, and that's what he'll do.]

Yes sir. Understood.

[explosivecombat]

Excellent.

Anything further, then, before I send you on your way?

[strongestoftheturks]

No sir. I'll get started right away.

[text]

[enjoymyatelier]

How much do you know about the legends of this world?

[text]

[explosivecombat]

I've picked up a few things here and there; I'm more well-acquainted with some than others, but I'm at least passingly familiar with several.

[text]

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I can't say this of any of the legendary Pokemon in Kanto or Johto, but some foreign legends I've read speak of Pokemon with power over time and space. Admittedly, there's no motive for them to be involved in this in the legends themselves, but I haven't read any complete accounts and it's not like godlike beings need a reason to play with the lives of mere mortals.

text forever

[timelymaid]

and how bad was what you left?

video - locked; sorry for the late tag u_u Muse troubles kicked in

[kingbowser]

You could do anything, though! Make the masses bow before your awesomeness, bake you a cake the size of a galaxy, do your bidding over the tiniest of problems, and that's barely even scratching the surface!

[usedwrench]

[Excellent question. Winry is not sure. Everything is too much to ask, isn't it?

Maybe she should be happy with just the fact that according to Roy, he saw Ed somewhere after that day. She's, of course, extremely happy about it, but... Really, she has no rush to go home either, though she does miss that place. And she still wants to kick this place for it's irony of bringing a girl in right after she hears that she should get away from Amestris because that thing is happening there.

She wishes her hands wouldn't shake so much.]

Do you know how far the homunculi get with their plan for that day?